Estelle – “Fall In Love” by Atlantic Records

Click above to listen to a full, free stream of “Fall In Love,” Estelle‘s first single from her upcoming album, All of Me.

As you can probably tell within the first ten seconds, the song is far less “Freak” and much more “American Boy,” perhaps as an appeal to the American radio market. It’s nice and breezy, but I must admit, I vastly prefer the edgy electro sound she was tempting us with on “Freak.”

I’m not sure if it’ll work, but time will tell.

What a lovely surprise!

I opened up my inbox tonight to find that Miss Estelle has just sent over an excluusive, personalized version of “Freak” with a special introduction recorded for MuuMuse.

Click above to watch it (there is some talk of shoes), and feel free to jam out to the track as I’ve been doing for weeks now.

Thank you, Estelle!

To all my Muusers in the Miami area, I’ve got tickets for quite the affair next week!

On Saturday, March 27, gay club Score (Gaga stopped there after her New Years Eve performance his year–it’s been officially christened!) will be hosting a massive event during the Winter Music Conference, including performances by MuuMuse favorites Kelis, Wynter Gordon, Estelle, Lolene, and Agnes.

MuuMuse is proud to be giving away ONE PAIR of tickets to the event! To enter, send an e-mail to muumuse@gmail.com with the subject line “WMC” or send a tweet my way with the following phrase: “I want to go to the WMC, @MuuMuse!”

A winner will be selected and notified on Tuesday, March 23.

For those of you who’d rather stop by, tickets for the event are $15.

Click here to find out more about all the events going on at the Winter Music Conference.

Estelle‘s David Guetta-produced single “Freak” is noisy, somewhat irritating, and kind of all over the place, but after a few listens, you’ll learn to love it as I did.

Why? Two major moments of redemption: The phrase “I can be a freak. I can, I can be a freak” on repeat, and that “WORK! WORK!” sort of stuttering sound that plays during the verses. The song also features an interpolation of Soul II Soul‘s “Back To Life” (“However do you want me, however do you need me?”)

The video basically follows suit with the annoying/amazing contrast, and features two major fashion moments: The flowing black dress on top of the vinyl and the costumes-through-space sequence at the two minute mark.

It is worth noting that this song was given a test run at a dance party on Saturday night–it passed with flying colors. Wave your freak flag high, everybody!

…and that’s pretty much how this album pans out. To summarize:

Even if I’ve vetted them relentlessly for months now on MuuMuse, it bears repeating: “When Love Takes Over” and “Sexy Bitch” reign supreme on this album, though the slightly cooler, ’90′s-esque “It’s The Way You Love Me”–another Kelly Rowland-assisted track–proves just as delicious.

Spirit fingers and snaps to Kid Cudi‘s respectably controlled “Memories,” perhaps one of the more reflective, intelligent songs off of One Love. The same goes for Estelle‘s “One Love,” the shiny title track infused with subtle tropical beats and shades of reggae fit snugly between lyrics uplifting and empowering enough to make Bob Marley proud.

Another non-shocker: The album’s most annoying numbers stem from collabos with Black Eyed Peas members will.I.am and Apl de Ap, including the over-indulgent, tuneless “On The Dancefloor” and the entirely unnecessary Guetta mix of “I Gotta Feeling.” Only “I Wanna Go Crazy” proves to be a crazy good time, but let’s face it–shitty club songs about getting “stupid,” “crazy,” and/or “retarded” are kind of the only thing the Peas can do “right.”

The biggest and only surprise from all this comes at the album’s end with Makeba‘s “If We Ever,” a near beat-less, digitized swoon providing the massive breath of relief needed after one sweaty, screech-heavy dance session of an album. The song’s chorus is also ever-so-slightly reminiscent of a super-slowed rendition of Jordin Sparks‘ “Watch You Go” off of her latest album, Battlefield. Wait, where are you going? Did I just lose my credibility again?

Oh well…’twas nice while it lasted.

Total Score: 72%

It’s that time of year again: A time during which I find myself to cuddle up to a nice, steaming brew of Earl Grey, boil up some bangers and mash, and allow myself to get downright British up in here. Why? Because it’s time for the the glamouriest (with a u!), glitziest award show of them all: The Brit Awards.

As if the show needed further proof of fierceness, Kylie Minogue has been announced as the official show host! Girls Aloud, Pet Shop Boys, and Kylie sharing one stage? SPOILER ALERT: There will be glitter.

Last night marked the announcement of the nominees for this year’s Brit Awards. Like last year, I’ve selected my picks to win for titters and giggles. And, like last year, the justification for my selection has largely whittled down to general attractiveness and general Ability To Make My Foot Tap. So get your kit off, you wanker, and check ‘em out!

Thanks to AceShowbiz for typing it all out!

British Male Solo Artist:

* Ian Brown
* James Morrison
* Paul Weller
* The Streets
* Will Young

Changes was, for the most part, all shades of brilliant. Seriously. Also: Cutie.

British Female Solo Artist:

* Adele
* Beth Rowley
* Duffy
* Estelle
* M.I.A.

Normally I’d opt for the child-bearer of the bunch, but I was thoroughly underwhelmed by the entire Kala project. I’m gunning for the one that revolutionized the waterproof mascara market.

British Breakthrough Act:

* Adele
* Duffy
* The Last Shadow Puppets
* Scouting for Girls
* The Ting Tings

I hear good things. Wouldn’t mind if it went to the throwback songstresses either, but please…Spare me the embarrassment of a Ting Tings win.

British Group:

* Coldplay
* Elbow
* Girls Aloud
* Radiohead
* Take That

Though I don’t foresee a win for this category, “Hope” seems to be the theme of this brave, new generation. As a result…YES. WE. CAN.

British Live Act:

* Coldplay
* Elbow
* Iron Maiden
* Scouting for Girls
* The Verve

Perhaps because they managed to squeeze in four tracks during their most recent Saturday Night Live stint, I’ve been supersaturated by their presence.

British Single:

* Adele’s “Chasing Pavement”
* Alexandra Burke’s “Hallelujah”
* Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida”
* Dizzee Rascal’s “Dance Wiv Me” featuring Harris and Chrome
* Duffy’s “Mercy”
* Estelle’s “American Boy” featuring Kanye West
* Girls Aloud’s “The Promise”
* Leona Lewis’ “Better in Time”
* Scouting for Girls’ “Heartbeat”
* 2008 “The X Factor” Finalists’ “Hero”

Again, I’m dubious about a win here. Anyone of ‘em could take it, couldn’t they? (I suppose that’s the reason they’re all nominated.) Look for Coldplay, Alexandra, Adele, or Estelle to take it. Perhaps if Cheryl would just flash a little nip…

…YES. WE. CAN.

MasterCard British Album:

* Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida”
* Duffy’s “Rockferry”
* Elbow’s “The Seldom Seen Kid”
* Radiohead’s “In Rainbows”
* The Ting Tings’ “We Started Nothing”

For “Reckoner,” mainly.

International Album:

* AC/DC’s “Black Ice”
* Fleet Foxes’ “Fleet Foxes”
* The Killers’ “Day & Age”
* Kings of Leon’s “Only by the Night”
* MGMT’s “Oracular Spectacular”

Because they remind me of Coldplay having a jam session with The Beach Boys in the woods.

International Male Solo Artist:

* Beck
* Neil Diamond
* Jay-Z
* Kanye West
* Seasick Steve

I’m hoping a win would finally boost West’s humble ego.

International Female Solo Artist:

* Beyonce Knowles
* Gabriella Cilmi
* Katy Perry
* Pink
* Santogold

Ooh, tough one! Anyone could take it…Except for Perry, of course. Pink was a disappointment this year, so she’s out. Gabriella? Too soon. Give her time. And while “Diva” has remained my go-to booty jam, Santogold ultimately delivered the most meaty set.

International Group:

* AC/DC
* Fleet Foxes
* The Killers
* Kings of Leon
* MGMT

Isn’t this just the International Album section? I’ll maintain my pick, so as to avoid thinking any harder. MGMT could win…There, I said it.

Critics’ Choice: Florence and The Machine

OK.

Outstanding Contribution to Music: Pet Shop Boys

What have you done for me lately? Love you, Boyz.

And that’s the list! Isn’t it simply ace?

Alas, now I’m feeling blue. Much like the Little Mermaid, I wanna be where the British are. I wanna see, wanna see them snoggin’…Walking around on those–What do you call ‘em? Oh – Trainers!

Wish I could be part of that world. Confound these blasted fins!

I need to bum a fag.

And now, Miss Kylie Minogue and the Direction She Should Have Gone In Post-Body Language:

DL: Kylie Minogue – Lovin’ You (Sharebee)

Don’t call the search crews out just yet everyone, I have returned. I’ve moved back into my college dorm. Naturally, I’m making the most out of my first day back by staying locked in my cold, dark room, browsing the music blogs and checking the gossip forums for any new juicy tidbits.

I’m just kidding. I have the lights on.

So what have I come up with in my Internet journey? Not much. The biggest news is that Christina Aguilera pushed out a Max Liron Bratman from her Lady Marmalade yesterday. Yes, I know it’s the name of her child. But doesn’t it sound more like a little Kosher beef weiner? The name “Max” stands for “greatest” in Hebrew, and “Liron,” for “my song.” Being the good Jewish boy that I am, I had absolutely no guess as to the meaning of either of those words. Instead, I relied upon Perez‘s inevitably incorrect translation. Put them together, and Max Liron means “my greatest song.” I won’t dispute that; I can’t think of a Christina Aguilera song that would be considered great. Or good. Or tolerable. I kid. A little. Congratulations!

OH, and I found the new single by U.K. hip-hop artist, Estelle, featuring modest rapper, Kanye West. Bouncing merrily around a minimal, buzzing electro-beat, Estelle goes simply goo-goo about the lavish American lifestyle. What can I say? We’re just an elitist bunch of fancy pants. Most times during the song, I think that Kanye and Estelle are just engaging in a conversation, and the microphone just happened to be recording at the time. Give it a go here:

DL: Estelle ft. Kanye West – American Boy

That’s kind of it. There were some pictures of celebrities looking awful and music that didn’t matter. Tomorrow is the big snowstorm here in the Northeast, so I’ll inevitably be forced to update in nauseating frequency.

Anytits, I bought a crisp 12″ vinyl copy of Barbra Streisand’s soundtrack to “Yentl” for a mere 99 cents at the local Goodwill, and I’m simply bursting with enthusiasm to hide it in the pillows of unsuspecting friends returning back to campus.

And you, what do you think?